Nottingham Forest v Newcastle preview, including kick-off time and television channel

Improving Forest host a Newcastle side looking to avoid their third setback in the space of a week.

Nottingham Forest have been revitalised since the international break, winning two tricky away matches and scoring seven goals in the process to take them away from the bottom three.

They face their toughest test so far this season on Friday evening as league leaders Newcastle come to town. The Magpies have stuttered slightly of late though; their nine match winning streak was ended by lowly Blackburn last weekend and they were knocked out of the EFL Cup at Hull on Tuesday.

Two of the second tier's most gifted midfielders go head-to-head on at the City Ground, with Lansbury looking to continue his good form after last Friday's hat-trick in the win at Barnsley.

Shelvey has made Newcastle tick this season and impressed with the quality and range of his passing. A good performance from the midfielder is necessary if Rafael Benitez's side are to return to winning ways.

Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey

Last Meeting:

The most recent clash between these two sides saw Newcastle come out on top in a 4-3 League Cup thriller in 2011/12. Fabricio Coloccini's header in the last minute of extra-time sealed the tie in the Magpies favour after a topsy turvy game.

Forest won the last league meeting at the City Ground by a Dexter Blackstock goal to nil.

Dexter Blackstock celebrates for Nottingham Forest

Recent form – most recent last:

Nottingham Forest - LLLDWW

Newcastle - WWWWWL

Who’s the ref?

Having been on National League duty at Chester on Tuesday, Stephen Martin returns to his usual Championship level to take charge of this one.

Martin has shown 40 yellow cards in his sixteen matches this season and is yet to show a red.

Paul Martin

21-year old freelance writer with a BA in Journalism Studies from the University of Sheffield who has contributed to various football publications including Shoot and Exeter City FC's matchday programme.